Key for office machines



Oct. 19, 1954 0. WINTER KEY FOR OFFICE MACHINES Filed May 4, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 01-1-0 MIITER Oct. 19, 1954 0 WINTER 2,692,033

KEY FOR OFFICE MACHINES Filed May 4, 1950 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.O-rro WINTER Patented Oct. 19, 1954 KEY FOR OFFICE MACHINES Otto Winter,Wilhelmshaven, Germany, assignor to Olympia Werke West Gesellschaft mitbeschrankter Haftung Application May 4, 1950, Serial No. 159,883

Claims priority, application Germany May 11, 1949 11 Claims. (Cl.197-103) The present invention relates to an improvement in officemachines, such as typewriters, calculating machines, bookkeepingmachines and the like.

In the copending application Serial No. 151,374, filed March 23, 1950,an office machine is disclosed in which a key adapted to be depressed isconnected to a first member which actuates a second member on adepression of the key, a resilient element being inserted between themembers, and a device being provided for limiting the relative motion ofsaid members.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid difiiculties caused bythe limiting device with respect to the manufacture and the mounting anddismounting of the office machine.

It is another object of the present invention to avoid a loss of thelimiting device.

An office machine according to the present invention comprises in itsbroadest aspects in combination a key adapted to be depressed, a firstmember connected to this key, a second member adapted to be actuated bythe first member on a depression of the key, a resilient elementinserted between the members, and a device forming one piece with one ofthe members for limiting the relative motion of the members.

Preferably, the device for limiting the relative motion of the membersis resiliently connected to at least one of the members.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first member isresilient and the device for limiting the relative motion of the membersforms one piece with the first member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a key-shapedextension is connected to the second member and a groove is provided inthe first member for engagement by the key-shaped extension. Preferably,the key is rigidly connected to the second member. Preferably, a deviceis connected to the second member and partly encloses the same,key-shaped extensions forming part of the device and being arrangedparallel to the second member. Preferably, the second member is designedas a lever.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memberconnected to the key to be depressed is forked and has resilient prongswhich are provided, respectively, with preferably lateral projectionswhich engage a notch element or recess in the lever.

Preferably a guiding sleeve having a crossshaped cross section enclosesthe forked member and the lever, the guiding sleeve engaging with oneend thereof the projections of the forked member. Preferably, the leveris also forked.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a pin isrigidly connected to the key and carries a projection on the lowerportion of the pin, the lever being rigidly connected to a cylinderhaving a bottom having an aperture adapted to be engaged by theprojection, the resiilent element being inserted between the pin and thebottom of the cylinder. Preferably, the pin is provided with a collararranged on the upper portion thereof and the resilient element abutsagainst the collar and the bottom of the cylinder. Preferably, theprojection is pivotally secured to the pin so that it passes theaperture in the bottom of the cylinder when the key mechanism ismounted, after which the projection turns about its pivot and engagesthe bottom of the cylinder.

The novel features which I consider as characteristic for my inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of one embodiment ofthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded View of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on an enlarged scale of the lower part of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show, respectively, in perspective view three moreembodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figures 1 to 3, a key Iadapted to be depressed by the finger of the operator is rigidlyconnected to a first member 2 designed as a fork. A second member ispreferably designed as a lever 3 provided with a forked extension 4aligned with the forked member 2 but arranged transversely to the same,the prongs of the member 2 and the extension 4 forming a hollow space inwhich a resilient element designed as a compression spring 5 isinserted. A sleeve 6 having a crossshaped cross section is attached tothe lever 3 and serves as a guide for the forked member 2 and theforked-shaped extension 4 during their relative motion. The prongs 2' ofthe forkshaped lever 2 are resilient and consist, for instance, ofhardened spring steel. In the position shown in Figure 2, the prongs 2'are unstressed. At their lower end, the prongs 2' are provided withlateral projections 1 connected by inclined faces 8 with the lower endfaces I of the prongs in order to facilitate the introduction of theforked member into the sleeve 6.

The operation of this device is as follows: When the forked member 2 isintroduced into the sleeve 6, the prongs 2' are pressed towards eachother for a distance corresponding to theprojecting part of the lateralprojection I. If the forked member 2 is fully inserted into the sleeve6, the lower parts of the prongs 2' extend beyond the sleeve 6 andreturn into their unstressed position, the lateral projection l engagingthe lower edge of the sleeve 6.

When it is intended to separate the parts, the lateral projections 1 arepressed towards each other after which the forked member 2 under thepressure of the spring slides upwards and the parts are separated fromone another.

Referring now to Figure 4, the key i is again connected to the forkedmember 2 with which the forked extension 4 of the lever 3 cooperatesunder insertion of a helical compression spring 5 [as in the embodimentaccording to Figures 1 to 3. The forked member 2 is provided withinwardly directed lateral projections 9, the lower parts of which areprovided with inclined portions 10. The extension 4 of the lever .3 isprovided with a .notch element or recess H which is engaged by thelateral projections 9.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Before mounting the device, the parts have the relative position shownin Figure 4. For mounting purposes, the key .I and the forked member 2are pressed downwards. The forked member 2 is guided by the extension 4which is provided with an oblong recess 4 having a narrow extension 4"reaching to'the upper edge of the extension 4. In this embodiment, thesleeve 6 of the embodiment shown .in Figures 1 to 3 can be dispensedwith.

At the end of the mounting movement, the lat- :eral projections 9 engagethe upper edge of the recess H which has a length which allows theforked member 2 to actuate the lever 3 by acompression of the spring 5on a depression of the key I by the finger of the operator. On thereturn movement, the lateral projections 9 come again in engagement withthe upper end of the recess H and thus limit the relative motion of themember 2 and'the extension 6. For dismounting the key I, the prongedends of the member 2 are slightly pressed outwards whereupon the .key Iand the member 2 can be removed from the extension 4.

Referring now to Figure .5 .of the drawings, the member 2 connected tothe key I is in contradistinction to the embodiments shown in Figures 1to 4 not resilient. The member 2 has longitudinal recesses 12 near thelower end of the .prongs 2. The lever 3 carries a substantially:U-shaped resilient device 13 which is preferably welded to the lever 3at 1.3 and provided with key-shaped extensions :I l engaging therecesses .12 of the member 2.

Theoperation of this device is substantially the same as that shown inFigures .1 to 3. The resilient device 53 partly encloses the lever 3 andthe key-shaped ends M engage the lower edge of the sleeve 6 under thepressure of the spring 5.

Referring now to Figure 6 of the drawings, .the key i is connected to acylindrical pin 45 provided with a collar l6 shaped as an annular discarranged near the upper end of the pin 85. The helical compressionspring .5 woundabout the pin it abuts with its upper end against thecollar 16. .Atthe lower end 22 :of the pin 1 5 .a lateral projec- 4 tionI! is pivoted at 2! to the pin IS. The lever 3 is connected to a hollowcylinder i8 having an open upper end and being provided with a bottom I9having a central aperture 20,.

The operation of this device is as follows:

For mounting the key 1 and its associate parts, the latter are broughtinto the position above the cylinder [8 which is shown in Figure 6. Thenthe pin i5 is introduced into the hollow cylinder [8 so that the lowerend 22 of the pin l5 extends through the aperture 26, the projection l1turning upwards .about the pivot 2| and turning afterwards downwardagain so that its upper edge 23 engages the lower face of the bottom l9.In order to facilitate this motion, the projection ll is provided withan inclined face 24 so that the projection H is gradually pressed intothe pin l5 before it reaches the position in which it engages the lowerface of the bottom l9. Preferably a spring (not shown) is providedinside the pin I5 .for pressing the projection ll into the positionshown in the drawings. The spring 5 abuts with its lower end against theupper face of the bottom E9 of the cylinder l8.

If it is intended to dismount the device, the projection H is pressedinwards, whereupon the pressure of the spring 5 causes the pin it tomove upwards so that the key i is dismounted.

'If desired, the lateral projection Il may be rigidly connected to thepin l5 and the bottom E9 of the cylinder it may be made resilient sothat it can let pass the projection I! while the lower end 22 of the pin15 is being introduced into the aperture 20.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofoffice machines, differing from the types described above.

While I have illustrated and describedthe invention as embodied in aconnection of the key of an oflice machine, I do not intend to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of .myinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofmy invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adaptit for various applications without omitting features from-thestandpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics .ofthe generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, suchadaptationsshould and are intended to .be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An office machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a first member connected to said key; a second member adaptedto be actuated by said firstmember .ona depression of said key; .aresilient .element inserted between :said members; a device connected tosaid second member and partly enclosing the same; key-shaped extensionsforming part of said device and being arranged parallel to said secondmember; and recesses insaid first member for engagement, respectively,by said keyshaped extensions.

2. An office machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; .a member connected to said key; .a lever adapted to be.actuated by said member .on .a depression of said key; .a resilientelement inserted between said member and said lever; a device connectedto said lever and partly enclosing the same; keyshaped extensionsforming part of said device and arranged parallel to said lever; andrecesses in said member for engagement, respectively, by said key-shapedextensions.

3. An oifice machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a fiat forked member rigidly connected to said key and havingprongs; lateral projections arranged, respectively, on said prongs; alever arranged normal to said fiat forked member adapted to be actuatedby said member on a depression of said key; a resilient element insertedbetween said member and said lever; and means on said lever forengagement, respectively, by said projections.

4. An ofiice machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a first flat member connected to said key; a second fiatmember arranged normal to said first flat member and adapted to beactuated by said first fiat member on a depression of said key; aresilient element inserted between said members; a sleeve fixed to saidsecond member having a crossshaped cross section and guiding said fiatmembers during the relative motion thereof; and a device forming onepiece with said first member and cooperating with said sleeve to limitthe relative motion of said members.

5. An ofiice machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a first fiat member connected to said key; a second fiatmember arranged normal to said first fiat member and adapted to beactuated by said first fiat member on a depression of said key; aresilient element inserted between said members; a sleeve having across-shaped cross section and guiding said fiat members during therelative motion thereof; a key-shaped extension' connected to saidsecond fiat member; and a recess in said first fiat member forengagement by said key-shaped extension.

6. An oflice machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a first fiat member connected to said key; a second fiatmember arranged normal to said first fiat member and adapted to beactuated by said first fiat member on a depression of said key; aresilient element inserted between said members; a sleeve having across-shaped cross section and guiding said fiat members during therelative motion thereof; a device connected to said second fiat memberand partly enclosing the same; keyshaped extensions forming part of saiddevice and being arranged parallel to said second flat member; andrecesses in said first fiat member for engagement, respectively, by saidkey-shaped extensions.

7. An office machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a fiat forked member rigidly connected to said key and havingresilient prongs; projections arranged, respectively, on said prongs; afiat lever arranged normal to said first fiat member and adapted to beactuated by said member on a depression of said key; a resilient elementinserted between said member and said lever; and a guiding sleeve havinga cross-shaped cross section and enclosing said fiat forked member andsaid fiat lever, said guiding sleeve engaging with one end thereof saidprojections of said forked member.

8. An ofiice machine comprising in combination a key adapted to bedepressed; a fiat forked member rigidly connected to said key and havingresilient prongs; projections arranged, re-

spectively, on said prongs; a fiat forked lever arranged normal to saidfirst fiat member and adapted to be actuated by said member on adepression of said key; a resilient element inserted between said memberand said lever; and a guiding sleeve having a cross-shaped cross sectionand enclosing said fiat forked member and said fiat lever, said guidingsleeve engaging with one end thereof said projections of said forkedmember.

9. An office machine comprising, in combination, a key adapted to bedepressed; a substantially vertical fiat forked member rigidly connectedto said key and having resilient prongs arranged at the lower endthereof; projections arranged respectively on the lower ends of saidprongs; a fiat lever arranged normal to said flat forked member andadapted to be actuated by said member on a depression of said key; aresilient inserted between said fiat forked member and said fiat lever;and a substantially vertical guiding sleeve having a cross-shaped crosssection and enclosing said fiat forked member and said flat lever, saidguiding sleeve having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end ofsaid guiding sleeve engaging said projections of said flat forkedmember.

10. An office machine comprising, in combination, a key adapted to bedepressed; a substantially vertical flat forked member rigidly connectedto said key and having resilient prongs arranged at the lower endthereof; projections arranged respectively on the lower ends of saidprongs; a fiat forked lever arranged normal to said fiat forked memberand adapted to be actuated by said member on a depression of said key; aresilient element inserted between said fiat forked member and said fiatforked lever; and a substantially vertical guiding sleeve having across-shaped cross section and enclosing said fiat forked member andsaid flat lever, said guiding sleeve having an upper end and a lowerend, said lower end of said guiding sleeve engaging said projections ofsaid fiat forked member.

11. An ofiice machine comprising, in combination, a key adapted to bedepressed; a substantially vertical fiat forked member rigidly connectedto said key and having resilient prongs arranged at the lower endthereof; projections arranged respectively on the lower ends of saidprongs; a fiat lever arranged normal to said flat forked member andadapted to be actuated by said member on a depression of said key, saidfiat lever having a forked extension aligned with said fiat forkedmember and arranged transversely to the same; a resilient elementinserted between said forked member and said forked extension; and asubstantially v'ertical guiding sleeve having a cross-shaped crosssection and enclosing said flat forked member and said forked extensionof said fiat lever, said guiding sleeve having an upper end and a lowerend, said lower end of said guiding sleeve engaging said projections ofsaid fiat forked member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 285,096 Yost Sept. 18, 1883 823,137 Richards June 12, 19061,508,001 Kurowski Sept. 9, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date8,818 Great Britain of 1912 365,595 Germany of 1922

